Commercial Auto Insurance in Lynnwood, WA | Hood Insurance Agency
Protecting your fleet, your livelihood, and your pack.
The Short Answer:
If you use your vehicle for anything other than a standard commute—such as hauling tools to a job site in Edmonds, delivering goods, or visiting clients—your personal auto policy will likely deny your claim. In Washington, commercial auto insurance is required for business-owned vehicles and provides the higher liability limits ($300k+ CSL is common but most Additional Insureds require 1M) that protect your business assets from a "total loss" lawsuit.
Coverage That Keeps Your Business on the Road
When your business depends on wheels, you can’t afford to run without the right protection. From contractors hauling equipment to delivery drivers making sure everyone’s coffee arrives hot, commercial auto insurance keeps your business moving forward—even when the unexpected happens.
At Hood Insurance Agency, we believe protection isn’t just a policy—it’s a principle. And like a wolf pack watching each other’s backs, we make sure your vehicles (and the people behind the wheel) are covered.
Protect Your Business Assets
Our commercial auto insurance covers a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, vans, and specialty vehicles. With our customizable policies, you can ensure full protection against accidents, damages, and liability claims while keeping your business running smoothly.
🚚 What Is Commercial Auto Insurance?
Commercial auto insurance protects the vehicles your business owns, leases, or uses for work. Unlike personal auto insurance, it’s built for the unique risks of business driving—think higher mileage, bigger loads, or employees getting behind the wheel.
Coverage typically includes:
-
Liability – if your driver causes an accident.
-
Physical Damage – repairs or replacement for your vehicle.
-
Medical Payments – helping with injuries from an accident.
-
Hired & Non-Owned Auto (HNOA) – coverage for vehicles you rent, borrow, or your employees use for work.
🐺 Translation for the pack: Whether it’s your work truck or Joe from accounting’s Corolla making a bank run, we’ve got it covered.
🏗️ Who Needs It?
If your business owns, leases, or uses vehicles, you need commercial auto insurance. Common examples include:
-
Contractors & Builders hauling tools and materials
-
Delivery Businesses (food, flowers, documents, you name it)
-
Service Providers like plumbers, electricians, and landscapers
-
Fleet Operators managing multiple vehicles or drivers
-
Small Businesses where employees occasionally use their own cars
Even if you only use a single pickup truck, if it’s tied to your business, you’re in commercial territory.
📍 Why It Matters in Washington
Washington requires minimum liability limits for business vehicles, but let’s be real: those minimums are about as protective as a paper umbrella in a rainstorm. Local businesses face risks like:
-
Busy Lynnwood traffic corridors (I-5, 405, Highway 99)
-
Winter weather and slick roads
-
Claims from customers, other drivers, or employees
-
Rising repair and medical costs
With the right coverage, you won’t be left howling at the moon when an accident happens.
Navigating the 99 Corridor
Driving commercial vehicles in Lynnwood means navigating the heavy traffic of Highway 99, the I-5/405 interchange, and the Alderwood Mall area. We don't just sell policies; we help local business owners understand the specific risks of the Pacific Northwest, from winter weather prep to managing driver safety on our densest corridors.
🧭 Why Choose Hood Insurance Agency?
Local Pack Leaders – We know Lynnwood, Snohomish County, and the unique challenges of WA businesses.
-
Independent Broker Advantage – We run with multiple carriers to find the right fit, not force you into one-size-fits-all coverage.
-
Straight Talk, No Fluff – You won’t get lost in insurance jargon—we keep it clear, honest, and maybe a little witty.
🐾 FAQs – Quick Answers for Fast Thinkers
No. Personal policies almost always have a "Business Use Exclusion." If you are involved in an accident while on the clock—even just running to the bank for the business—your insurer can refuse to pay for repairs or medical bills. Commercial auto insurance is built for the higher risks, heavier loads, and multiple drivers associated with business.
2. What are the Washington State requirements for commercial vehicles?
This depends on the industry. Truckers are required to carry at $750K in liability insurance while contractors do not have a minimum requirement specific to their trade so the Washington state minimum for any automobile would apply. This requires 25/50/10 liability ($25k per person, $50k per accident, $10k property). However, most Lynnwood commercial contracts and "High-Value" clients will require you to carry a **$1,000,000 Combined Single Limit (CSL)**. We help you balance what is legally required with what is professionally necessary to land big jobs.
3. Does my policy cover employees driving their own cars?
A standard commercial auto policy only covers vehicles owned by the business. If your employees use their personal cars for work errands (like picking up supplies at the Lynnwood Home Depot), you need Hired and Non-Owned Auto (HNOA) coverage. This protects your business if they cause an accident while working for you.
4. Is commercial auto insurance tax-deductible?
In most cases, yes. If you are a business owner or self-employed in Washington, the premiums you pay for commercial auto insurance are often a deductible business expense. We recommend consulting with your CPA, but this is a major "hidden" benefit of moving from a personal to a professional policy.
5. How do I lower my commercial auto premiums in Snohomish County?
Safety is the biggest factor. Implementing a formal "Driver Safety Policy," checking MVRs (Motor Vehicle Reports) before hiring, and installing GPS or telematics can significantly lower your rates. Because we are a local agency, we can shop your policy across multiple carriers to find the one that rewards your specific safety record.